José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero

José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is president of the government of Spain. Born in 1960, he has a degree in law from the University of Léon. He has been a member of the Spanish Socialists’ Party (PSOE) since 1979. He is the secretary-general of the PSOE and since 2000. After being elected deputy in the national Parliament five times, Zapatero was elected as president of the government in 2004. He was again elected to that position in 2008.

He is well known for his domestic agenda of civic rights and the promotion of gender equality. Internationally, he launched the initiative for the Alliance of Civilizations in his first speech at the UN as President of Spain and he is a committed leader in the fight against poverty and the search for peace.

President Zapatero is married and has two daughters.

Source: University Programs and Events Planning Resources, September 2010